Amy's View - Contextual Information

Contextual Information

David Hare is often noted for his critical views of British society, and although Amy's View is certainly a softer example of his cultural and political commentary, it does not escape the theme. It is important to place the play within historical contexts for analysis, as throughout the sixteen years during which the play is set, Margaret Thatcher was becoming increasingly prominent and powerful within the British government and Lloyd's of London was experiencing great turmoil in dealing with insurance claims.

Hare's own bias is also quite prominent in this work. As a playwright, he combines his internal knowledge of the theater with his seemingly outsider view of popular media and filmmaking to impose negative connotations upon evolving and growing technology based entertainment. However, it is interesting to note that Hare himself has dabbled in filmmaking, and so perhaps has an unexpectedly balanced view of the two mediums and their inherent flaws and advantages.

In addition, Amy's View is associated with Hare's informal trilogy based loosely on the theme of sacrificial love. The first, "Skylight, about a woman who for a while gives up her life for a man and then decides not to. Then Amy's View And then a third play, The Judas Kiss, which takes sacrifice as far as it can go." Taking this thematic thread into account helps to see the main message in this multifaceted production.